Garment-hanger.



H. E. RT'HBUN.

v G1Q1R1VIL1Wl HANGER. APPLICATION FILED M AY 1, 1906. 111111111111111 AUG. 11,1909.

Qgg Patented Maf. l5, 1910.

UNITED STATE@ PATENT HENRY E. RATHBUN, OF PRVIDENCE, RHODE ISLND, ASSIGNGPJ TO LOXIT COM- PANY, OF PROVIDENCE, RHGDE ISLAND, A CORPORATIGN GF BJIIODE ISLAND.

GARIENT-I-IANGER.

eaaaaa Application filed May l, 1988, Serial No. 314,656.

To all whom it' may concern:

Be it known that I, HEI-mr E. RATHBUN, citizen of the United States, and resident of Providence, county of Providence, Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Garment-Hangers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to coat hangers and more particularly to that class of coat hangers which are intended to be folded or collapsed into small compass when not in service.

The object of the invention is to make a simple and efficient device of this class capable of being collapsed into the smallest practicable space when not in use and yet susceptible ot' quick and easy adjustment to position for actual use in hanging coats or other garments.

In its essential features the invention comprises a three-part hanger o which the two end sections form extensions to elongate the hanger to the requisite dimensions for actual service but which are also capable of movement with relation to the intermediate or body member so that in its collapsed position the device is practically contained within the limits of the length of the body member.

In the accompanying drawings-Figurel represents a perspective view of the entire device in its extended position. Fig. 2 represents a side elevation of the device in its collapsed position. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the middle or body portion or member of the device; and Fig. 4t is a detail view of one of the end members separated from the device.

In the practice of my invention according to the form thereof shown in the drawings, I provide an intermediate or body member a in the orm of a skeleton frame bent into a suit-able shape to form a supporting member and provided at each extremity with a pair ot eyes a formed by coiling or twisting the wire in the form of a heliX a, the ends of the wire being carried out in a horizontal plane as indicated at a2 to form stops for the end or extension members b.

Each end member consists of a single piece of wire bent into the shape shown or any suitable form adapted to carry the coat or garment to be supported by it. In this case the wire members are bent to itorm two nearly parallel arms o connected by an Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar., I5, 191601.

Renewed August il, 1309. Serial No. 512,459.

enlarged loop 212 at one end and having their tree ends terminate in lateral projections 3 which are arranged to project into the eyes ot the member L to form a pivotal or jointed connection therewith. It desired these projecting ends which form the ournals or pintlcs of the joint, may be headed or enlarged as at o* to prevent their being slipped out of the eyes after the device is once assembled.

When the device is in the extended position, the arms ZJ ot the end members rest above and directly upon the stops a2 of the intermediate member, these stops serving to prevent the end members from swinging downward into a vertical or depending position when the device is in use.

When it is desired to collapse the device into its folded position, the two arms b Z) of the end members are forced together into the position shown in Fig. 2 so that they are no longer in alinement with or resting upon the stops a2. In this position no resistance is opposed to their swinging downward between the projecting ends or stops a2 since the end portions of the intermediate member a are in the form ot an open fork. 'Ihis construction permits each end member when its arms are sprung together, to be swung into the collapsed position shown in Fig. 2, so that the entire device is contained within the compass or limits of the intermediate or body portion a.

The fork-like ends of the body portion carrying the eyes are somewhat offset from the main plane or axis of the member a and this serves to give the device the correct form when in actual use, while permitting the compact folding of the device when not in use. As shown in the drawings, the intermediate or body member a may be contracted at two intermediate points to receive the links or eyes of the supporting chain c. Thesupporting chain is provided at its middle point with a suspending ring Z so that the slipping of the chain over the hook on which it is hung is prevented.

lVithout attempting to set forth the various modifications in form, construction and arrangement which may be made in the practice of this invention, what is claimed is l. A garment hanger embracing in its construction three skeleton wire trames or members of approximately equal length united by pivotal joints to form a continuous garment supporting frame approximately equal to their total length, the end members being foldable about said pivotal joints to lie beneath and parallel With the middle member, each joint being provided with a supporting stop :l'rom which the members may be disengaged by compression in order to permit the folding of the hanger, substantially as described.

2. A garment hanger embracing in its construction a body member provided at either end with eyes to form bearings, end members arranged to form longitudinal extensions oi said body member and having' pivotal engagement with the eyes of said body member to permit their swinging against the under side oi said body member to lie parallel therewith in order to collapse the device, substantially as described.

3. A device of the class described embracing in its construction, a skeleton frame formed of .vire Whose opposite ends are bent to form eyes terminating in projecting stops, end members formed also of Wire Whose ends are formed into pintles having engagement With said eyes, substantially as described.

a. A device of the class described embracing in its construction, an intermediate frame provided at either end with open forl-like projections, extension members having pivotal engagement with the forklilie members, stops for preventing the pivotal movement of the extension members when the device is in use, said extension members being contractible laterally to disengage them trom said stops and to permit their being collapsed against said intermediate frame, substantially as described.

in Witness whereof, l have hereunto set my hand.

HENRY E. RATHBUN.

In the presence of- JOSEPH K. GREENE, FRED. B. THURBER. 

